NHG Health LKCMedicine Clinician Scientist Preparatory Programme (CSPP)
Open for applications in Apr and Oct
Introduction
The NHG Health-LKCMedicine Clinician Scientist Preparatory Programme (CSPP) is a joint programme between NHG Health and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) that aims to provide clinicians with an exposure to research in the early phase of their career through research training and project experience.
Awardees will be offered access to LKCMedicine’s library resources during the term of the award.
Key Features of Award
Awardees are required to complete the programme within 2 years.
Residents are also required to complete the programme within the duration of their Residency. They are recommended to discuss with their Residency Programme Directors on the feasibility and recommended year to embark on CSPP, as well as the plans to complete the programme within Residency.
Eligibility
a) Medical doctors (i.e., clinically qualified with MD/MBBS/BDS) enrolled in the NHG Health Residency Programme; or with primary appointments as Associate Consultants at NHG Health institutions. Those without specialty training may apply if they are in clinical practice, excluding House Officers and Medical Officers
OR
b) Health science / healthcare professionals with non-medical degrees, such as nurses, pharmacists, optometrists and other allied health professions (as listed on this website (opens in new tab)) in clinical practice, with primary appointments at NHG Health institutions and at least 3 years of clinical or relevant experience. Others may contact the Secretariat for discussion on suitability of the programme. Applicants should have at least a Bachelors (Hons)/Masters with an Upper Second, preferably First class honours degree in a relevant field. Experience as first or co-author of research publications is preferred but not required.
All applicants should also fulfil the following criteria:
a) Is interested in research but have little or no research experience; and
b) Able to commit time to complete the required CSPP research training.
c) Applicants are recommended to commit an estimated 0.1FTE to complete their research project within the award period, with the approval from their Reporting Officer.
Interested clinicians are strongly encouraged to contact the CSPP Secretariat for discussion on suitability of the Programme prior to applying.
Mentorship
Each applicant is required to nominate a mentor from NHG Health and a mentor from LKCMedicine (subject to approval by the review committee) to guide them in their research project. They should approach and discuss the details of the project with their nominated mentors.
The Review Panel will approve the choice of mentors based on the following eligibility requirements:
a) Is a clinician/ scientist; if scientist, additional requirement of a co-supervisor who is a clinician;
b) Has had experience as a Principal Investigator (PI) in a relevant area of research;
c) Has a strong foundation and knowledge in proper conduct of research; and
d) Has had experience in supervising or providing mentorship to junior investigators in their research work.
Nominated mentor(s) are recommended, but not limited to be (1) NMRC TA / CSA past or current recipient, (2) Director of Research, (3) CSCS past or current awardee or (4) Academy of Clinician Scientists and Innovators (ACSI) Mentor (opens in new tab).
Applicants may contact the CSPP Secretariat if they require assistance in identifying appropriate mentor(s).
Submission
Applicants are required to submit all application documents (Table 1) in softcopy to the CSPP Secretariat at NHG Health Group Research and Innovation through their Institution’s Clinical Research Unit (CRU) / Clinical Research and Innovation Office (CRIO).
The Institution’s CRU / CRIO will set an internal deadline for the submission and ensure that the documents reach the CSPP Secretariat by the stipulated deadline. Please check with your institutions for the deadline. Applications submitted after the call closing date and time will not be considered.
Table 1: CSPP Application Timeline
Call Opening | 06 Oct 2026 (Tue) |
|---|---|
Full Application Submission Deadline | 17 Nov 2026 (Tue), 12pm (SGT) |
Resources
CSPP Information Sheet - FY2026
This document contains important information about the objective of the scheme, award components, eligibility, application procedure, and evaluation criteria, etc., and should be read carefully before proceeding to apply.
Download the latest CSPP Information Sheet (opens in new tab).
CSPP Application Package - FY2026
The CSPP Application package consists of the following documents:
1. Information Sheet
2. Application Form
3. Application Checklist (for reference only)
4. Funding Guidelines
Download the latest CSPP Application Package (opens in new tab).
CSPP Forms & Templates
The CSPP Forms & Templates zip folder consists of the following documents:
1. Variation Forms - Budget Variation, Unbudgeted Item, Time Extension, Change of Scope
2. Interim Report Template
3. Final Report Template
4. Funding Guidelines
5. Acknowledgement for Supplementary Readings
Download the latest CSPP Forms & Templates (opens in new tab).
Past Awardees
Download the list of past CSPP Awardees (opens in new tab).
Contact Information
For more information and further enquiries, please contact the CSPP Secretariat:
Ms Christine Khoo
Clinician Scientist Development Office
Group Research and Innovation, NHG Health
Email: christine.khoo.ml@nhghealth.com.sg
Ms Syarafina Hasan
Clinician Scientist Development Office
Group Research and Innovation, NHG Health
Email: syarafina.hasan@nhghealth.com.sg